Friday, January 4, 2013

Armia hat trick leads Finns in finale

Joel Armia scored a hat trick Friday and added an assist as Finland closed the 2013 World Junior Championship with an 11-4 stomping of Slovakia. The four-point output gives Armia 12 points (6+6, 3 PPG, 1 GWG) through the tourney’s six games, which as of end of play Friday was tied for tournament’s points lead with Finnish teammate and Calgary Flames prospect Markus Granlund. Armia's six goals to Granlund's five give him the technical scoring lead heading into tomorrow's gold and bronze medal tilts.



The Assat Pori winger rounded out his tourney with an even rating, 12 penalty minutes, 26 shots on goal, and a player of the game award earned in Finland’s preliminary round outing versus Sweden. The production is a step up for the 2012 gathering that saw him collect five goals and seven points in seven games en route to Finland’s fourth place finish.

Armia will head back to Pori and enjoy a brief break before resuming the SM-Liiga schedule.